You are invited to attend our 2024 Outagamie Forage Council Regional Twilight Meeting. Last year Mother Nature dealt us drought, this year it is extensive/widespread flooding. This event will provide you with a free home cooked meal and some insight/strategies to consider as the 2024 harvest season approaches. We will also be hosting some guests from the great state of Texas.
Last year, our hosts, J-Springs Dairy, were transitioning from a traditional tie stall barn to a new free-stall facility equipped with a Lely Robotic Milking System. Arrive early (5:00 p.m.) for a tour of the new facility and view the changes firsthand. See how J-Springs Dairy has positioned their multi-generational family dairy farm operation for long-term success by embracing strategic changes.
AgriLogic Consulting LLC has been tasked with the responsibility of creating an Alfalfa Revenue Insurance Program for USDA. Clif Parks, President, AgriLogic Consulting, LLCand Brannick Sweetser, Policy Analyst, AgriLogic Consulting, LLC will facilitate a Listening Session for Alfalfa Revenue Insurance Development – Your Chance to Shape Policy. Previous alfalfa insurance coverage focused solely on yield or was used for protection against losses incurred from winterkill. However, similar to revenue products available in grain crops, USDA intends to look at a Yield X Market Price product. This is YOUR opportunity to provide direct feedback as to how these policies will be shaped and implemented moving forward. Do not miss your chance to have a say in how these products may be able to help your farm manage risk in the future. Let us make sure Wisconsin is well represented.
Bill Schaumberg, Agronomist, Tilth Agronomy will address Developing a Whole Farm Strategy for the 2024 Harvest Season – Maximizing Yield & Quality. Bill has worked as an independent professional (CCA-certified) crop consultant for two decades in northeast Wisconsin and will share his insight on how farmers will need to effectively manage their time/resources this fall to harvest 4th cut alfalfa, time corn silage harvest correctly, manage manure applications, and of course plant winter wheat/winter cereals. It is not IF there will be conflicts of overlapping activities, it is how many. Bill will share how he helps his clients prioritize needs to maximize both yield and quality this year, while setting the farm operation up for success in 2025.
Scott Newell, Alfalfa Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison & Division of Extension, will address alfalfa persistence management as a center for maximizing profit. While persistence in alfalfa is generally taken to mean keeping a stand as many years as possible, it is also important in younger stands to maintain yield and increase profitability. Fall cutting management to maximize persistence will be discussed, especially through the lens of this year’s harvesting struggles. He will also share the latest on UW wheel traffic research, corn-alfalfa interseeding results, and address other risks to consider for 2025.
Following the presentations, there will be refreshments/networking time to enjoy with others.
Contact Ina Montgomery, Extension Outagamie, at (920)-832-4763, email at ina.montgomery@outagamie.org, or use the following link to register for this event: https://bit.ly/24TwilightMeeting
